MUSCAT – The 2025 European Film Festival opened to a packed audience at Cinépolis, Avenues Mall, Muscat, marking the second edition of the event that has quickly become a fixture on Oman’s cultural calendar.
Organised by the European Union Delegation to the Sultanate of Oman in cooperation with EU Member States and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the festival drew ambassadors, senior officials, cultural leaders, and cinema enthusiasts, underscoring the growing appetite for cultural exchange through film.
His Excellency Dirk Lölke, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Oman, opened the festival with a keynote address stressing the power of cinema to inspire and connect communities. “Cinema is art, and art sustains us all,” he told the audience.
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Representing Oman’s cultural leadership, Ms. Loura Al Siyabi, Head of Cinema at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, praised the festival as a platform for dialogue and creativity. “Through cinema, we celebrate the power of stories to inspire understanding and connection across cultures,” she said.
The European Union Delegation’s Deputy Head of Mission, Ms. Irina Gusačenko, described the festival as “a beacon for cultural exchange and cinematic excellence,” adding that it strengthens ties between Oman and Europe while opening opportunities for Omani filmmakers.
This year’s programme features 24 acclaimed films from nine EU countries, along with a special screening of the Omani feature film Zayana. Screenings include Germany’s When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and the Oscar-winning French animation Flow.
Beyond screenings, the festival offers masterclasses and seminars on filmmaking, Arab cinema history, production design, and women’s empowerment. Speakers include Italian director Edoardo Bellino, German curator Irit Neidhardt, Hungarian designer Anna Szujó, and Omani Booker Prize winner Jokha Al Harthi.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Sudha Sha, Festival Coordinator from the International Film Foundation of Oman (IFFO), thanked organisers and participants. “The festival offers a true feast for movie lovers and a pathway for filmmakers to bring their works to international platforms,” she said.
The European Film Festival 2025 runs until September 28, with support from Austria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Romania, and Spain, alongside Cinépolis Oman and IFFO.
